As I drove through Ballybough this morning, I gazed with pride at all the Dublin flags that adorned each and every lamppost, along with the blue and navy bunting that flowed wistfully and triumphantly across the road.

It kickstarted a few minutes of nostalgia for me as I recalled the great times we've experienced as Dublin supporters over these last few magical years.

The car radio must also have been feeling the nostalgia as a song known to many of a 1990's vintage provided a soundtrack of sorts to my momentary trip down memory lane.

Many of the words of that old Take That number 'Never Forget' could easily have been penned for the journey that Dublin supporters have been treated to by the Dublin Senior Football team this decade.

"We've come a long way, but we're not too sure where we've been".

Sentiments that I believe many Dublin fans could identify with following the uprising we have witnessed since that most darkest of days back in 2009 when Kerry beat us out the gate in that years All-Ireland quarter-final.

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We've come a long way indeed but sometimes we still feel the need to pinch ourselves to make certain that what we have witnessed since hasn't been some sort of dream.

"Someday soon this will all be someone else's dream".

Yes we know it won't last forever but we will dare to dream that it will continue that bit longer. Beginning with this Sunday in Croke Park.

Whisper it, but Dublin may just add their name to the pantheon of greats to have achieved the fabled four-in-a-row.

Back in 2009 as you trudged miserably out of Croke Park amongst a sea of green and gold hysteria, would you have imagined in your wildest dreams that under a decade later Dublin would be on the cusp of this amazing feat?

Even as recently as 2014 when Dublin were ambushed by a well prepared Donegal outfit, did you believe that Dublin wouldn't lose a championship game again up to this moment?

We have been more spoiled than all the youngsters who started back school this week put together.

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But just like the child who's been brought to McDonald's for the third time in a week, we may just be spoiled yet again this Sunday. Four-in-a-row would be akin to being taken to the toy shop afterwards too.

The annual journey that began in January will, barring a replay, come to an end this Sunday.

It's a journey that has seen the National League Division One title wrestled from the Kingdoms grasp and returned to its now familiar climes of the capital.

A journey that has seen Dublin win their eight straight Leinster title at a canter and handle the newly formed Super 8s with ease. Injuries to Cluxton and O'Sullivan, the returns of Flynn and Brogan and the continued rise in the stock of Brian Howard have been just some of the Summers major talking points while the now famous Omagh away day will be the stuff of folklore in years to come.

On the field Dublin have been ruthless, efficient and at times workmanlike on their path back to the defence of their title. Flashes of brilliance with a core ethic of relentless hard work and good old fashioned elbow grease have been the mainstays of another, thus far, unbeaten championship season for Jim Gavin's charges.

They have played more as a team this summer than I've ever witnessed. They haven't needed to be at their spectacular best but you get the feeling that they could be if they wanted to, that the gears required are ready to be used if and when needed.

There is no doubt that special performance is in them, just waiting to be unleashed. I have a feeling that we may just see it on Sunday.

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For all the talk that we have heard from the pundits and media alike about Mickey Harte having something up his sleeve, a cunning plan to take down the Dubs, I just don't see it.

Are these same 'experts' so naive that they don't think Jim Gavin and his management team won't have a plan of their own?

You can be sure that hour upon hour of video footage and analysis has been pored over by Jim and his colleagues. You can be certain that nothing whatsoever will be left to chance. Each Dublin player will know the man he's marking, their granny and most likely their pets.

Meticulous doesn't even begin to describe the level of planning that goes in to each game by this Dublin team and management. Every scenario will have been discussed and each player lucky enough to wear that famous shirt will know what is expected of them.

Like I said in a previous article, you get the feeling that Jim is peaking his men for the biggest day of all.

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Tyrone, to their credit, have looked a different outfit altogether from the team that stumbled over the line against a poor Meath side in the qualifiers.

With each passing game they have looked more confident and a more threatening side.

You can be sure that they won't be coming to the capital for the shopping. They believe they can beat Dublin and the fact that Mickey Harte has never lost an All-Ireland Final as a manager will only add to their confidence.

They also have a point to prove after their last championship meeting with The Dubs ended in humiliation for them.

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I would expect Mickey Harte has a plan to curb both Ciarán Kilkenny and Brian Fenton's influence on the game along with the Cluxton kickout.

But, for me, there will be too many fires all over the pitch for Tyrone to try extinguish. If one or two Dublin players are receiving close attention and having their affect on the game subdued then you can be sure that others on the pitch will step up. If not then there's a treasure trove of riches on the sideline.

Jim Gavin will no doubt have plans of his own once again for Tyrone's Peter Harte and Niall Sludden who have both been rendered null and void in recent meetings with Dublin thanks to man marking jobs from John Small and Eoin Murchan respectively.

If Cian O'Sullivan is fit then we may see the Kilmacud Crokes man play the sweeper role that few in the game are more successful at performing.

Colm Cavanagh is having the season of his life and that won't have escaped Jim Gavin. His trademark surging runs with Harte and Mattie Donnelly will have to be targeted to cut off the Red Hands supply line.

If Tyrone do as expected push up on the Cluxton kick out then I expect Dublin will go long into the bountiful space behind that this will create.

I expect Gavin to go with a forward line full of pace to compliment the scorching runs of Jack McCaffrey from deep. The Clontarf speedster will have a point of his own to prove after an early injury cruelly ruined his final last year.

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Paul Flynn and Cormac Costello are no doubt pushing hard for inclusion in the starting fifteen given their recent performances as is Kevin McManamon.

It will be interesting to see who actually lines out at 3.30pm on Sunday but you can be sure that whoever gets the nod will thoroughly deserve their starting berth given the ferocious competition for places in this Dublin side.

The romantics amongst would no doubt love to see Bernard Brogan make even a brief cameo at some stage.

Expect an explosive opening quarter. Tyrone will want to lay down a marker while Dublin will be looking for their customary good start.

The longer that Mickey Harte's men can keep with Dublin then the more their confidence will grow.

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My big question would be have the scars from last years semi-final defeat healed for the Red Hands?

Dublin have been there before, worn the t-shirt, washed and ironed the t-shirt then worn it again.

There is no side more experienced when it comes to the biggest day of all. I expect Dublin's class, experience and bench to see off a determined Tyrone challenge and another man unbeaten in All Ireland Final's as a manager to preserve his perfect record - Jim Gavin.